Cooksey, R., Brophy, S., Gravenor, M.B., Brooks, C.J., Burrows, C.L. and Siebert, S. (2010) Frequency and characteristics of disease flares in ankylosing spondylitis. Rheumatology, 49(5), pp. 929-932. (doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kep435)
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Abstract
<b>Objective.</b> To examine the characteristics and frequency of disease flares in a cohort of people with AS.<p></p> <b>Methods.</b> A prospective data set from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a probiotic treatment/placebo was utilized to examine disease flares in 134 people with AS. Disease flares were defined as either minor/localized flares (pain/swelling localized to one area with fatigue and stiffness) or major/generalized flares (generalized pain, hot burning joints, muscle spasm, fever, sweating, extreme fatigue and stiffness).<p></p> <b>Results.</b> One hundred and thirty-four people were followed up for 1216 person follow-up weeks and there were 71.4 flares per 100 person-weeks. Of these, 12 were major/generalized flares and 59.4 were minor/localized flares. People who experienced at least one major/generalized flare during the study period had worse disease during flare-free periods in terms of disease activity, impaired function, self-reported night pain and iritis compared with those who did not experience any major/generalized flares during the study. Major/generalized flares lasted for an average of 2.4 weeks (s.d. 2.7), and were preceded by and followed by a minor/localized flare in 92% (55/60) of cases.<p></p> <b>Conclusion.</b> Seventy per cent of people with AS felt they had a flare in any given week. Those who experienced major/generalized flares appear to have more severe and active disease even during periods when not in flare, compared with those who do not experience major/generalized flares. These results have implications for the timing of assessments prior to starting anti-TNF therapy and suggest that the presence of major flares may be helpful in identifying patients with severe disease.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Siebert, Professor Stefan |
Authors: | Cooksey, R., Brophy, S., Gravenor, M.B., Brooks, C.J., Burrows, C.L., and Siebert, S. |
College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity |
Journal Name: | Rheumatology |
ISSN: | 1462-0324 |
ISSN (Online): | 1462-0332 |
Published Online: | 01 February 2010 |
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